Global Literacy Program Manager (1 Position)
Position Summary Expectations - Duties, Responsibilities
This position based in Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos
Position Overview
The Global Literacy Program Manager will provide technical assistance for the comprehensive literacy portfolio across global programs, as assigned. Key responsibilities will include:
- ensuring Literacy Program schools are supplied with engaging, relevant and appropriate children’s books and instructional materials that support the development of reading skills while sharing the wonder of books;
- ensuring that teachers and librarians are trained to understand the book collection and how to best utilize it in reading activities with children;
- training school staff in library management; and
- leading publishing initiatives, which includes partnering with local publishers, facilitating author and illustrator workshops, and mentoring authors, illustrators, editors, and designers. S/he will also research and form networks within the publishing industry to gauge local market trends and needs, and to promote Room to Read as a key player in children’s book publishing.
The position works most closely with in-country program teams and the global literacy team. It will require frequent travel and interaction with teachers, authors, illustrators, publishers, and government officials, and preferably will be based in either Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos. The position will report directly to the Global Publisher, located in San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Capacity-building & Mentoring to Support Program Implementation
- Supports teams in reviewing existing book collections, and where gaps are identified, working with teams to publish books to fill those gaps. This involves sourcing local authors and illustrators, advising on story development, reviewing, editing, and mentoring in-country staff.
- Supports teams in training teachers on how to identify and use quality children’s books, how to manage a library, and how to best use books in reading activities with children. This includes engagement with the local government in sharing and promoting best practices.
- Collaborates with in-country literacy teams to coordinate the development of appropriate instructional teaching resources and materials, in coordination with appropriate global literacy staff.
- Ensures global program guidelines are understood, adapted as needed, and followed appropriately.
- Advises country teams on systems-strengthening strategies (for both book supply and book demand), including professional development for book creators, government book reviewers, teachers, librarians, publishers, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
- Documents best practices and lessons learned, in order to strength Room to Read’s knowledge base, programmatic approach and inform future literacy work.
- Serves as global literacy team point-person for Room to Read Country Offices, as assigned, which includes assisting with Annual Planning and Budgeting, general country communication and literacy strategy. This task collaborates closely with the relevant Global Programs Operations Manager.
- Program Design
- Leads programmatic design of new initiatives, as needed, in close collaboration with Global Program Operations and Development teams.
- This may include feasibility visits to possible program locations, developing proposals and project budgets for new work, identifying and mentoring partners, and coordinating book development with partners (publishers, authors, illustrators, editors, designers) for book publishing initiatives.
- Develops guidelines, training materials, and tools, as needed, to support the quality implementation of the literacy portfolio globally.
- Thought Leadership and Networking
- Collaborates with Room to Read country teams, MarCom, and partners as relevant to identify and promote engaging, relevant, and culturally appropriate reading materials for primary school grades, and to share broad knowledge of the children’s book industry to support this effort.
- Establishes and manages relationships with other NGOs, publishers, and industry groups for publishing and school libraries.
- Represents Room to Read in different forums and advocates for the magic and science of reading and supporting government and local stakeholder knowledge-strengthening about quality children’s books.
- Stays informed about the local children’s book publishing industry, investigating major children’s book publishers and local market demand.
- Contributes to Room to Read’s thought leadership, in blogs, papers, conference attendance, and other representation as identified.
- Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (in education, languages, communications, or a related field), or equivalent experience
- A minimum of 7 years of related professional work experience
- Strong leadership, mentoring, and organizational skills
- Knowledge and understanding of the children’s book publishing industry and quality children’s literature, preferably with associated work experience
- Manuscript editing, design and layout experience
- Facilitation and training skills
- Experience in developing and implementing programmatic improvements
- Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people
- Ability and desire to travel frequently
- Prior experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented global or regional organization
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
- Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously
- Preferred
- Knowledge and understanding of book leveling
- Effectiveness in working or volunteering in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and low overhead
- To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also
- Have a passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic non-profit organization
- Be an innovative and creative thinker – not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so
- Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
- Have a strong work ethic and require minimal direction
- Work well independently as well as part of a team
- Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment
